Tate Aggies Beat West Florida Tech (With Photo Gallery)
August 30, 2014
The Tate High School Aggies had a little revenge on their minds Friday night as they beat West Florida in Cantonment 19-7, a far cry from last year’s 45-3 loss to the Jaguars.
Tate controlled the first half on the scoreboard, with a 10-0 lead at the half that they expanded to 17-0 with about eight minutes to go in the third. The Aggies were led by Alondo Thompkins with 35 yards, four of which came in the second half on a touchdown run.
The Aggies will head down to Pensacola High School next Friday night at 7:30, while West Florida will be at Milton.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Photos by Gary Carnley for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview Rolls Past The Bozeman Bucks, 49-7
August 30, 2014
The Northview Chiefs rolled into Panama City Friday night and left the Bozeman Bucks behind with that deer in the headlights look as the Chiefs opened their season with a powerful 49-7 rout.
The Chiefs were first on the board with a play that left the Bucks standing in disbelief. Cameron Newsome called for a fair catch on a punt in the first quarter, but there was no whistle. Newsome then took off, scoring on a 70-yard run.
Northview expanded their lead to 14-0 with just a minute in the first with a 35-yard pass from Gavin Grant to Jacob Dunsford and a good kick from Chasen Freeman. The Chiefs added another 14 in the second quarter with a 40 yard pass from Grant to Dunsford, and an an 84-yard interception return from Newsome for a 28-0 lead at the halftime buzzer.
In the third, Grant found senior Nick Lambert with a 24-yard touchdown pass, and with a two-point conversion from Dunsford, the Chiefs were up 35-0. And to round out the third with no time on the clock, Keondrae Lett scored on a 10-yard pass, 43-0.
The Bucks added their only seven with 3:30 to go in the game on a two-yard run. And with just 30 seconds to go, the Chiefs scored again on a 55-yard kickoff return from Lett.
The Northview Chiefs (1-0) will play their home opener next Friday night in Tommy Weaver Memorial Stadium at 7:00 against the Bulldogs of Marianna (0-0).
Wahoos Fall 1-0
August 30, 2014
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos (27-40, 58-79) fell 1-0 to the Birmingham Barons (30-36, 59-77) at Regions Field Friday night. It was a game dominated by pitching with both starting pitchers going 7.0 innings.
RHP Tim Adleman started for the Wahoos and lowered his ERA as a starter to a miniscule 2.38. He pitched 7.0 strong innings and allowed just one run in the fifth. Adleman added five strikeouts and walked just one batter, but still took the loss for the seventh time this season. Rangel Ravelo led off the fifth inning with a triple to right field and Jason Coats followed it with an RBI single. It was all the Barons would need to prevail.
Birmingham did not leave a single runner on base and went 1-for-1 with runners in scoring position. By contrast, the Wahoos were 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position and left nine batters on base. Yorman Rodriguez, Ryan Wright and Kyle Waldrop were the only Wahoo players with hits and Waldrop had the only multi-hit game for Pensacola.
RHP Mike Recchia earned the win for the Barons and spun a gem. Recchia did not allow a run over 7.0 innings and surrendered just four hits in the contest. RHP Braulio Ortiz earned his first save of the season for the Barons. The Wahoos would once again put multiple runners on base in the ninth, but Ortiz got Brodie Greene to fly out to right field to end the contest.
RHP Drew Hayes pitched a perfect bottom of the eighth while striking out one Baron batter. He’s posted a 1.72 ERA during the month of August and hasn’t allowed a hit over his last 4.0 innings pitched.
Pensacola’s series continues with Birmingham on Saturday. The Blue Wahoos will look to take control of the series in game three at 6:30 p.m. Saturday night at Regions Field. The Blue Wahoos will send RHP Ben Lively (3-6, 3.76) to the bump on Friday. Terance Marin (0-1, 9.00) will start for the Barons.
by Joey Truncale
Friday Night Finals
August 30, 2014
Here are final scores from around the North Escambia area Friday night:
- Northview 49 Bozeman 7 [Read more...]
- Tate 19 West Florida 7 [Read more, photo gallery...]
- Flomaton 42 Jay 20 [Read more, photo gallery...]
- Pine Forest 36 East Gasden 0
- Baker 30 Graceville 27
- Tallahassee Lincoln 31 Pensacola High 27
- Navarre 31 Catholic 21
- Niceville 55 Rutherford 7
- Choctaw 36 Pace 28
- Milton 28 Crestview 14
- W.S. Neal 27 Escambia County (Atmore) 6
- T.R. Miller 21 Tallassee 10
- Milton 28 Crestview 14
- Escambia Academy 21 Autauga 20
Photos: Ernest Ward At Jay HS Football
August 29, 2014
The junior varsity Jay High Schools Royals defeated their Ernest Ward Middle School Eagles Thursday in Jay, 24-12.
Ernest Ward’s Eagles will be in action again next Thursday, September 4 on the road in Fairhope, AL.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview Grad Neiko Robinson Makes College Football Debut
August 29, 2014
Northview High School graduate Neiko Robinson made his college football debut Thursday night for the Mississippi Gulf Coast Bulldogs as they rolled passed Northeast 41-8 in Perkinston, MS.
Robinson, a freshman defensive back, recorded five tackles, one quarterback sack and one pass breakup for the Bulldogs.
“I’m proud of the way our guys came out strong. They had a lot of energy and played fast and hard,” said new Gulf Coast coach Chad Huff after his first win.
Gulf Coast, ranked #9 in the NJCAA, takes on Northwest (0-1) Thursday, Sept. 4 at 7 p.m. at A.L. May Memorial Stadium in Perkinston.
Volleyball: Northview Wins Beats Holmes County; Ft Walton Over Tate
August 29, 2014
The Northview Lady Chiefs earned a couple of big wins on the road Thursday at Holmes County, while the Tate Lady Aggies opened their season with a district loss.
In varsity action, Northvew beat Holmes County 23-25, 25-15, 25-17, 25-14. In junior varsity play, Northview downed Holmes County 25-19, 25-21. The Northview Chiefs will host the Baldwin County Tigers on Tuesday. Play begins at 4:00 for junior varsity, 5 p.m. for varsity.
The Tate Aggies opened District 1-7A play with a loss to Fort Walton Beach, 25-13, 25-22, 26-28, 25-17.
Family Fishing Rodeo This Weekend To Support The ‘Backpack Project’
August 29, 2014
The Escambia County School District’s Maintenance Department is hosting the “Backpack Project” fishing competition this weekend. Last year’s event raised enough money to provide nutritious food that was able to be sent home weekly to 150 students at three different schools.
Charles Peterson, director of Maintenance and Custodian Services, said, “All research indicates that adequate nutrition in children can be linked to improved learning skills and memory work. Inadequate nutrition can contribute to lower test scores and poor concentration.”
“Anglers will have the opportunity to win cash prizes in 17 different sponsored categories,” he added. There will be two groups of fishermen: an Open Division for anglers 10 and older, and a Junior Division for those under ten years of age.
A Captain’s meeting will be held Friday at 6:30 p.m. at the Grand Lagoon Yacht Club. The fishing fun and competition begins Saturday at 12:01 a.m. and ends Sunday at 4:00 p.m. Weigh-in times are scheduled as follows: Saturday 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sunday from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. The awards ceremony will start at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday.
In addition, a fish fry will be held on Sunday from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m. The cost will be $5.00 for adults and $1.00 for children under 10. T-shirts will be sold for $15.
For additional information, contact Rodeo Chairman Scott Stillman at (850)595-0135, or sstillman@escambia.k12.fl.us.
Wahoos Get Comback 6-5 Win
August 29, 2014
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos (27-39, 58-78) won in thrilling fashion, 6-5, over the Birmingham Barons (29-36, 58-77) at Regions Field Thursday night. After tying the game with two runs in the ninth, the Wahoos took the lead in the 10th on Bryson Smith’s fourth single of the game. RHP Shane Dyer earned his franchise leading 20th save of the season in the bottom half of the inning.
The Wahoos shot out to an early lead in the top of the first with a two-out RBI double from Travis Mattair. The Barons tied the score up in the bottom of the second on an RBI double from Joey DeMichele, who scored Jason Coats from second base.
The score remained even until the sixth when Devin Lohman knocked a double deep to left center field. Kyle Waldrop’s groundout moved Lohman to third and he came home to score on Mattair’s fielder’s choice ground ball on the right side.
Pensacola’s lead was short-lived as the Barons scored two runs in the bottom of the sixth. With the bases loaded, DeMichele hit his second double of the game, which scored two Barons. Yorman Rodriguez and Brodie Greene would combine to throw out the runner, Jason Coats, at home as he attempted to score from first. Birmingham’s manager Julio Vinas argued with the umpires and protested the call believing that Wahoos’ catcher Chris Berset was blocking the plate. The rest of the game was played under protest.
The Barons tacked on another run in the bottom of the seventh to take a 4-2 lead over the Wahoos. Waldrop answered for the Blue Wahoos with his seventh home run since the All-Star break to cut the lead to one. Again, the Wahoos could not put together a shut down inning as the Barons re-took a two-run lead in the bottom of the eighth.
Pensacola refused to go down without a fight in the top of the ninth inning. Juan Silverio led off with a double and the next hitter, Bryson Smith, singled him home on a sharp line drive to left field. Smith would eventually come home on a sacrifice fly from Greene to tie the contest at five. It was Birmingham’s 23rd blown save of the season.
In the 10th, Mattair bunted himself on and reached second on the Barons’ third error of the night. Smith, who finished the day 4-for-5 with two RBI, singled him home for the eventual winning run. Smith was one of four Wahoos that ended up with a multi-hit game.
RHP Mikey O’Brien rejoined the team from Triple-A Louisville and made his 11th start of the season with Pensacola. O’Brien pitched well, allowing just three runs over 5.2 innings of work. RHP Radhames Quezada made his Double-A debut for the Blue Wahoos in the seventh inning. Quezada went 1.0 innings and struck out a batter. LHP Fabian Williamson earned his second win of the season going 2.0 innings and allowing 1 R/ER on one hit.
LHP Nelvin Fuentes allowed the winning run in the 10th and took the loss for the Barons.
Pensacola’s series continues with Birmingham on Friday. The second game of the series will begin at 7:05 p.m. at Regions Field. The Blue Wahoos will send RHP Tim Adleman (3-7, 3.00) to the bump on Friday. The Barons have tabbed RHP Mike Recchia (5-4, 3.32) as their starter.
by Tommy Thrall
Wahoos Ends Year At Home With 6-2 Win Over Montgomery
August 27, 2014
The Pensacola Blue s ended the 2014 season with a standing ovation from the packed stadium.
It was a heart-felt and electrifying moment to end the team’s 70 home games this year and deeply appreciated by the Blue Wahoos players and coaches. Plus, it was particularly gratifying going out with a victory, 6-2, over the Montgomery Biscuits Tuesday at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium.
“It reminds me a lot of Wrigley Field,” said Pensacola Manager Delino DeShields. “The people keep coming back no matter what. The fans really make this place go. They are the best in the league by far in my opinion.”
Starting pitcher Michael Lorenzen admitted that the players joke that they like Pensacola so much, they don’t want to get called up.
“The atmosphere is always fun here, no matter the wins and losses,” said Lorenzen, who worked four innings and gave up two runs on five hits and three walks while striking out three. “We love it here. A lot of the players say we don’t want to go up. We want to stay because it’s so nice here.”
Pensacola’s closer Shane Dyer, who earned his franchise record 19th save Tuesday, was on the mound as the fans rose to their feet with two out and the last Biscuits player coming to the plate. Of course, Dyer struck out Montgomery’s Richie Shaffer, who has homered the past two games.
“It’s a great feeling,” he said of the loudly cheering fans. “That’s what guys in the bullpen thrive on. It’s always exciting to go out on top.”
The Wahoos ended their final game of the 2014 season with a sellout crowd of 5,038 to reach 311,687 total, which is the second highest total in the Southern League behind the Birmingham Barons.
It was the 33rd sellout in 70 home games this season for the Blue Wahoos, who averaged 4,453 fans a game. Pensacola had entered the final game 445 fans short of passing last season’s attendance total of 307,094.
The Wahoos are now 53,072 fans from reaching the 1 million mark in attendance in their fourth season in existence, which they will likely reach by the third homestand next season.
Jack-of-all-trades Brodie Greene came over from the Carolina Mudcats, which Quint and Rishy Studer bought and moved to Pensacola to start the 2012 season. Greene, who has played second base, shortstop and the outfield this season, has spent all three years in Pensacola. His season was cut short last year, when he broke his leg in July.
He ended his third season with the Blue Wahoos in fairy-tale fashion, belting a solo home run to deep leftfield – his third of the year and first at home.
“It was a good way to end a tough season,” Greene said. “I’ve been scuffling a little bit. I finally got one over the fence, though. It was great to see everyone behind us. It was like we were in the playoffs or something.”
The Wahoos have five more games on the road against the Birmingham Barons before the end of the Southern League season. They’re 56-78 overall and out of the playoff picture.
Many are making their plans for the offseason, such as playing in the Arizona Fall League, running a baseball academy in Europe, coaching a Wyoming and Colorado high school All-Star team, playing winter ball in Venezuela and returning home to their families, among other things.
One thing’s for sure. As they break for the winter, the Blue Wahoos fans’ standing ovation Tuesday will still be ringing in their ears.
The final five-game series for the Pensacola Blue Wahoos in the 2014 season is against the Chicago White Sox Double-A affiliate the Birmingham Barons. It gets underway after a day off Wednesday with a 7:05 p.m. start Thursday. LHP Tim Adleman (3-7, 3.00) takes the mound for the Wahoos and is scheduled to be opposed by the Barons RHP Tony Bucciffero (2-2, 5.59). The season concludes Labor Day on Monday, Sept. 1.
by Tommy Thrall